2016 Metro Manila Film Festival’s films
THIS YEAR’S Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) kicks off on Dec. 25 and will run until Jan. 3 — shortened to the original 10 days after several years of showing entry films until Jan. 7. Another twist in this year’s MMFF plot is the screening-time issue. This year the festival entries will be guaranteed at least two days of screenings as there will be no “first day-last day” which refers to the practice by movie theaters in which a festival movie is pulled out of the screening schedule if it does not attract many moviegoers in its first day, to be replaced with a more popular offering.
The MMFF blocks off the screening of non-festival films throughout the length of the festival in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao.
The festival will begin with the traditional Parade of the Stars from Rizal Park to Plaza Miranda in Manila on Dec. 23. The Awards Night will be held on Dec. 29 at the Kia Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.
Vince and Kath and James
DIRECTED by Theodore Boborol. This love story — starring Julia Baretto, Joshua Garcia, and Ronnie Alente — is adapted from the hit online series Vince and Kath, which went viral on Facebook.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Sunday Beauty Queen
DIRECTED by Babyruth Villarama-Gutierrez. The only documentary in the list, the film centers on five Filipina helpers in Hong Kong who work six days a week with only Sundays off. They join a Sunday beauty contest to give themselves a makeover.
MTRCB Rating: G
Oro
DIRECTED by Alvin Yapan. Based on true events, Oro highlights the plight of small-scale gold miners amid violence, corruption, and politics. It stars Irma Idlawan, Joem Bascon, and Mercedes Cabral.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Saving Sally
DIRECTED by Alvid Liongoren. A film 10 years in the making, Saving Sally is just a love story — but one with monsters and aliens. Starring Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad, and Enzo Marcos, it blends animation and live action.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Seklusyon
DIRECTED by Erik Matti. Set in 1947, the film depicts the old tradition of leaving aspiring priests in a secluded area during the last week of their training, the idea being to keep them away from evil and temptation. But when a young girl mysteriously appears at the secluded convent, the candidates are tested: is she sent from heaven or hell?
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Kabisera
DIRECTED by Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido. Timely, relevant, and inspired by a true story, the film revolves around the journey of a family and how it deals with people involved in extrajudicial killings. It stars Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, and Jason Abalos.
MTRCB Rating: R-13
Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2
DIRECTED by Marlon Rivera. The comedy Ang Babae sa Septic Tank was a hit in 2011 when it was shown at the Cinemalaya Film Festival. This sequel brings back commedienne Eugene Domingo playing herself as she tries to change the script of a movie she stars in.
MTRCB Rating: PG
Die Beautiful
DIRECTED by Jun Robles Lana. Paolo Ballesteros — who won Best Actor at this year’s Tokyo Film Festival for his work in this movie — plays a transgender woman who likes to join beauty contests. And her death wish is to die beautiful.
MTRCB Rating: R-13